Jahmann Yendor Massey, 43, passed on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, in his home in Chicago, IL.

Born February 21,1981, in Chicago, Illinois to Rodney and Helen (Arnold) Massey, Jahmann was the eldest child of Rodney and Helen.

The family moved to Flint, Michigan where Jahmann attended Jefferson Community School and received recognition with various achievement awards. Jahmann was active in the Cub Scouts and before the age of seven made his first on camera appearance in a televised promotional commercial for Hurley Medical Center.

At the age of eight, the family returned to Chicago, IL where Jahmann continued his education at William G. Beale Elementary School, before completing grades 4 to 8 at the selective enrollment John J. Pershing Magnet School. As a Pershing student, Jahmann would begin his lifelong journey as an artist and writer, and within these disciplines, recognition of Jahmann's accomplishments included the Walt Disney Communication Arts Center, Illinois State Board of Education Young Author's Conference, and the Chicago Public Schools District Six Academic Olympics Competitions.

An active member of the South Side YMCA of Chicago, Jahmann was also a member of the nationally recognized Chicago Children's Choir (n/k/a Uniting Voices Chicago), and when he was not singing, Jahmann spent his childhood collecting comic books. More than a passive hobby, comic book illustrations inspired Jahmann to begin his path into drawing and sculpting, and he would go on to win various art competitions throughout Chicago. Though he only took saxophone lessons for a single school year, the experience ignited his desire to arrange, record and produce music; soon thereafter, Jahmann would teach himself how to play his favorite cinematic scores from movies on any piano that he could find, and prior to completing the 7th grade, Jahmann received his first Casio keyboard.

Before graduating elementary school, in 1994, Jahmann was 1 of 50 children selected to Walk With A Star at the famed Michael Jordan/Ronald McDonald Children's Charities Celebrity Golf Classic, and not long after, Jahmann was introduced to graphic design at a summer program offered by the Art Institute of Chicago. This introduction gave Jahmann the foundational tools that he would use continuously throughout adulthood when creating promotional marketing materials for musicians, small businesses, and events.

Jahmann would begin his high school studies at De La Salle in Chicago, before transferring to Carman-Ainsworth High School (C-A) in Flint, Michigan. A well-liked and well-rounded student, Jahmann was an active athlete who competed on both the C-A Varsity Soccer and Track & Field teams. In addition to being a Tenor I vocalist and section leader in the C-A Chorale program, Jahmann appeared in multiple school musicals as an actor and dancer.

After finishing studies at Carman-Ainsworth High School, Jahmann married Shammia Jones in May 2002, and on August 15, 2004, their only son, Jahmiah Yekoa Massey, was born.

Jahmann would spend the next decade of his life consistently pushing himself as an entertainer, recording artist and producer, and thanks to friends, Jahmann was able to successfully venture into professions including sales and real estate. During this time, Jahmann found himself both moving and working between creative networks in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Detroit, as well as internationally in Windsor, Canada. Professionally, Jahmann became known as an innovative talent that would be instrumental assisting in the recording of vocal and musical arrangements for artists, while also producing music and commercials for Leo Burnett Advertising Agency and more. By the 2010's, Jahmann's clients included Proctor & Gamble, Marlboro, Harpo Studios (The Oprah Winfrey Show) and McDonald's. Jahmann went on to become a prolific ghostwriter and producer for many underground and major label recording artists. Additionally, as a demo producer, he played a key role in helping GRAMMY-nominated Detroit rapper Big Sean secure a deal with the record label owned by global iconoclast Kanye West.

Following his marriage to Shammia Jones, while living in Canada, Jahmann proudly welcomed two daughters into this world – Aalaiyah-Marie (Candis Marbly, mother) and Ambrielle (Jamie Cabanaw, mother).

Upon returning to the states as a full-time resident, Jahmann quickly became active in Chicago's then revitalizing entertainment industry, appearing in multiple print/web/television commercials and advertisements, in addition to episodes of popular television shows including Empire (FOX) and Chicago P.D. (ABC).

Shortly after the 2020 COVID-19 global pandemic, Jahmann was in a near fatal car accident, and though he would continue to face declining health challenges resulting from the injuries he sustained, Jahmann continued to remain positive and was a friend to others throughout his final years.

Jahmann leaves to embrace his memory three children: Jahmiah Yekoa Massey (Michigan, USA), Aalaiyah-Marie Massey Marbly (Canada), Ambrielle Cabanaw (Canada); parents Rodney and Helen Massey (Michigan, USA); brothers Sharieff Turhan Carter-Massey (Patricia Carter, mother) and Rashon Massey.

Jahmann was a thoughtful, encouraging, supportive and loving father, son, and brother. Jahmann enjoyed bringing out the best in others.

Jahmann, "We will miss you."